Candidate Operating Agreement
CTS is designed for candidates who are willing to do the work of demonstrating leadership before asking for the authority of office.
Participating in CTS requires time, reflection, and evidence — it is a meaningful commitment. By working through the modules and providing supporting documentation, you are not only choosing transparency, you are demonstrating seriousness, preparedness, and respect for voters’ intelligence. CTS gives you the opportunity to show how you think, how you decide, and how you follow through — and to distinguish yourself through substance, consistency, and accountability. This is not about campaigning or comparison; it is about clearly presenting who you are, how you lead, and why you are qualified to serve.
1. Acceptance of Agreement
By creating a CTS account or proceeding beyond this page, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Candidate Operating Agreement (“Agreement”).
☐ I have read and understand this Agreement.
☐ I agree to participate in CTS under the terms described below.
If you do not agree, you must exit the platform and discontinue account creation.
2. Purpose and Nature of CTS
CTS is a civic transparency and accountability platform designed to document, evaluate, and contextualize candidate behavior over time.
CTS is not:
- A campaign tool
- An endorsement engine
- A guarantee of electoral success
CTS is:
- A longitudinal behavioral record
- A structured evaluation environment
- A public‑facing transparency system
☐ I understand that CTS evaluates patterns of behavior, not just isolated statements.
3. Eligibility, Identity, and Accuracy
By proceeding, you represent that:
- You are participating under your true identity
- You are legally eligible to seek or hold public office in your jurisdiction
- Information you provide is accurate to the best of your knowledge
- You will update material changes (office sought, jurisdiction, status)
☐ I confirm that my identity and participation information are accurate.
4. Behavioral Observation & Longitudinal Accountability
CTS is designed to observe and document behavior across time.
This includes:
- Comparing past statements to later actions
- Tracking consistency, follow‑through, and decision patterns
- Maintaining a persistent behavioral record
☐ I understand and agree that CTS may compare my past statements, commitments, and behaviors with future actions over time.
5. AI, Automation, and Human Review
CTS uses AI systems and automated analysis to:
- Interpret responses and interactions
- Identify patterns and signals
- Generate summaries, indicators, or flags
These outputs may be reviewed, contextualized, or challenged through defined CTS processes.
☐ I understand that CTS uses AI and automated analysis, and that outputs may be reviewed by humans.
6. Recording, Retention, and Data Layer
By participating, you agree that CTS may record and retain:
- Written responses
- Uploaded documents
- Audio or video submissions
- Interaction metadata and timestamps
Records may be retained long‑term for integrity, transparency, and analysis purposes, subject to applicable law.
☐ I understand that my interactions may be recorded and retained as part of a long‑term CTS data record.
7. Public Transparency & Visibility
CTS may generate public‑facing outputs, including:
- Behavioral summaries
- Participation indicators
- Integrity or consistency signals
- Participation status (active, inactive, declined modules)
CTS does not guarantee removal or alteration of records except as required by law or policy.
☐ I understand that certain CTS outputs may be publicly visible.
☐ I understand that my level of participation itself may be displayed as part of CTS transparency indicators.
8. Optional Civic Panel Participation (Audio / Video)
CTS may host recorded public discussions, interviews, or panel‑based civic interrogations (“CTS Civic Panels”), which may be distributed via podcast, video, or other public media.
Participation is optional.
☐ Yes, I consent to being invited to participate in CTS Civic Panels, which may be recorded and publicly distributed.
☐ No, I decline participation in CTS Civic Panels at this time.
I understand that:
- Declining does not prevent use of CTS
- Participation status may be publicly visible
9. Non‑Retaliation and Good‑Faith Participation
You agree not to:
- Retaliate against observers, contributors, or panelists
- Harass, threaten, or intimidate participants
- Abuse legal, political, or social power to suppress participation
☐ I agree not to retaliate against individuals participating in CTS.
☐ I agree to participate in CTS in good faith and not attempt to manipulate the system.
10. Candidate Conduct Responsibilities and Participation Standards
By participating in CTS, you agree to the following conduct standards:
10.1 Truthfulness and Accuracy
You agree to:
- Provide information that is truthful and accurate to the best of your knowledge
- Avoid knowingly submitting false, misleading, or fabricated information
- Correct material inaccuracies when they become known to you
☐ I agree to provide truthful and accurate information in my CTS participation.
10.2 Non‑Comparative and Non‑Campaigning Conduct
CTS is not a campaign platform. It is a transparency and accountability system focused on who you are, how you lead, and how you make decisions.
You agree that your participation in CTS will focus solely on your own leadership, qualifications, and conduct.
You agree that you will not:
- Reference other candidates in a negative, disparaging, or comparative manner
- Use CTS modules, responses, or submissions to criticize, attack, or campaign against others
- Frame your participation as opposition‑based, adversarial, or comparative
☐ I agree not to reference or characterize other candidates negatively or comparatively within CTS.
10.3 Good‑Faith Participation and System Integrity
You agree to:
- Participate in CTS in good faith
- Refrain from attempting to manipulate, game, or undermine CTS evaluations or processes
- Avoid actions intended to distort transparency outputs or mislead observers
☐ I agree to participate in CTS in good faith and respect the integrity of the system.
10.4 Non‑Retaliation and Respect for Participants
CTS relies on the participation of observers, contributors, panelists, and community members.
You agree that you will not:
- Retaliate against individuals who participate in CTS
- Harass, threaten, intimidate, or penalize participants
- Use legal, political, or social power to suppress participation or discourage engagement
☐ I agree not to retaliate against or intimidate CTS participants.
10.5 Legal, Ethical, and Platform Compliance
You agree to:
- Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and campaign rules
- Respect confidentiality and legal disclosure boundaries
- Refrain from abusive, hateful, or threatening conduct
- Avoid interference with CTS operations, security, or access controls
☐ I agree to comply with CTS conduct standards and applicable law.
10.6 Consequences of Conduct Violations
You acknowledge that:
- Violations of these conduct standards may result in suspension or termination of CTS access
- Termination of access does not necessarily remove historical records already incorporated into the CTS data layer
- CTS retains discretion to act to protect system integrity and participant safety
☐ I understand the consequences of violating CTS conduct standards.
11. Data Use, Privacy, and Security
CTS may use collected data to:
- Operate and maintain the platform
- Generate transparency outputs
- Improve systems and models (aggregated or de‑identified where feasible)
- Comply with legal obligations
CTS employs reasonable security measures but cannot guarantee absolute protection.
☐ I understand how my data may be used and retained.
12. Intellectual Property & License
- You retain ownership of content you submit
- You grant CTS a non‑exclusive, royalty‑free license to use your content for platform operation, transparency outputs, and system improvement
- CTS materials remain the property of CTS
☐ I grant CTS the necessary license to use my submitted content as described.
13. Feedback and Suggestions
Any feedback or suggestions you provide may be used by CTS without obligation or compensation.
☐ I understand that feedback may be incorporated into CTS.
14. Disclaimers and Limitations
You acknowledge that:
- CTS provides evaluative information, not legal or professional advice
- AI systems may be imperfect
- CTS does not guarantee electoral outcomes
- Liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law
☐ I understand the limitations and disclaimers of CTS.
15. Termination and Suspension
CTS may suspend or terminate access for:
- Agreement violations
- System manipulation
- Legal or policy requirements
Termination does not necessarily erase historical records.
☐ I understand CTS’s termination and retention policies.
16. Final Affirmation & Consent Gate
☐ I have read and understood the Candidate Operating Agreement
☐ I consent to participation under these terms
☐ I understand that CTS is a transparency and accountability system